Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Housing certainly remains a problem. Take a look at downtown Chicago. Rents continue to ramp to ridiculous levels (and even for places that ain't great), and yet someone could get a niceish (nothing great and basic/small, but not terrible and locati…
Pimco's significant use of derivatives may also contribute to turnover. Pimco Unconstrained, for example, has about a 1000% turnover, last I looked. In terms of the funds, Pimco's "D" shares are no min/NTF at Ameritrade. Ameritrade also has some "a…
Reply to @brbrock: There's the philosophy that you want to invest when things are bad and cheap rather than waiting until things are good and expensive. Things aren't quite that simple, but that's the belief.
Reply to @Investor: In other words, catch has "equity-like" bonds (HY). That doesn't count as "equity" in the traditional sense, but displays rather similar volatility and holds rather similar risk.
Thank you for the response and a very interesting discussion of the Laudus fund.
I'm seeing new generations of alternative strategies appear for retail investors - in terms of managed futures products, there was the Rydex Managed Futures fund (not …
One side: there's going to be inflation (quite possibly worse than the unreported inflation we already have/"headline inflation", whatever you want to call it), and equities will fare better than most fixed income, especially certain equity sectors.…
Reply to @brbrock: Remember when people thought Bruce Berkowitz was infallible (wasn't that long ago.)? People also worshiped Heebner mightly. I think Buffett's issue is that Berkshire needs to step a bit further into modern day, especially with man…
Those looking for actual hedge funds can find some "feeder funds" on the pink sheets, including Third Point Offshore (TPNTF.PK) and Brevan Howard Macro (BHMDF.PK), but those are traded funds and are EXTREMELY (!!!) thinly traded "foreign ordinaries"…
I think if this isnt a primary computer and you are just looking for something to communicate with clients and do other basic tasks, you may want to consider looking at the refurbished computers via HP or other manufacturers directly, or via maybe s…
Reply to @claimui: My rambling thoughts: I definitely see what you're saying and agree with you. I have a very volatile stock, but it's part of an otherwise fairly low-key portfolio and I *get* that it's a volatile stock; I'm not going to dump it be…
Reply to @mns: While things have certainly changed over time, this is an article that talks about where some of the buying was done - BoA was started to be bought at $15, JOE at $26 average (at least at the point of the article.)
http://blogs.wsj.…
Reply to @Maurice: Financial demands of countries/financial companies not met = world go poof. Once the world goes down that road, it's difficult (at best) to stop.
Wealth is a combination of "real"/variably liquid assets (house, stuff, land, whatever), liquid assets (investments, etc) and non-nominal aspects, such as experience/skill set (someone's ability to fish is valuable, to use an example) and other non-…
There's no way to know which will be the most profitable. The Wisdomtree India Earnings fund is a possible idea (EPI etf) The Matthews India fund would be my mutual fund choice if I were to go India-specific.
Others can speak in regards to Latin A…
Reply to @hank: Very good discussion of this by Henry Blodget (shocking, coming from Business Insider, which I like less than CNBC) at the link below.
http://www.businessinsider.com/jon-corzine-flies-mf-global-into-a-mountain-2011-11
Essentially,…
Reply to @hank: I liked your comments, although I tend to be a bit more bleak - not because I'd LIKE to be, but because that's how I - with rather significant certainty - see things going. In other words, I enjoyed your comments and agree with most …
And guess what? The average taxpayer is going to bail these companies out again and again and again and again (and again and again) if they get into trouble. I have no doubt about that whatsoever.
Maybe if someone had, oh I dunno, regulated these …
Not sure what's going on now is capitalism in the traditional sense. This is a free-for-all, and what makes me furious is that you have people - even average investors - who get all irritated when the status quo is possibly interrupted or even quest…
I think my concern is what if Greece or another country defaults and it's not a "credit event" for one reason or another. I think the counter-party aspect of these sorts of derivatives is going to continue to be problematic going forward and I reall…
Only ever-so-slightly related:
Early on in the whole St Joe discussion, I said they should bring Asian conglomerate Genting over to build one of their destination resorts. Genting did decide to start in Florida soon after - only in Miami. The prope…
I own the Salient MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund (SMF; closed-end fund, so it can trade at a discount.) Still rather volatile, but the fund is unique in that it can use equity, commodity, interest rate and credit hedges (one or more or all.) MLPs ar…
While it has had an off year, I think that actually makes it an attractive time to invest in Templeton Global Bond (TEGBX), as I think Michael Hasenstab is an outstanding manager. I think an alternative fund is another "supporting player" option; P…
They appear to be two funds managed in the same manner, only different in terms of foreign or global. Personally, I'd recommend going with global, as I think one needs to have the flexibility in this environment.
Reply to @Flack: You said, "I want to be short the market."
I was curious if you're purely just short, or are short as a hedge against long holdings or...? Just curious to what degree you are short.
Reply to @Old_Joe: Elizabeth Warren is also terrific.
Do people listen to her? No.
Does she look like a librarian? Kinda.
Additionally, whether one agrees with Michael Moore or not, amusing interview on CNBC yesterday, where they wouldn't even l…
Recently increased my position in London investment trust RIT Capital Partners (investing with the Rothschilds). Also remain in a number of commodity plays (both equity and direct commodity), Asian conglomerate Jardine Matheson, a good deal of alter…
Reply to @hank: Apparently, Netflix was also buying back shares at an average of $218.
"We used $39.6 million in Q3 to repurchase 182,000 shares at an average cost basis of $218."
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/oops-netflix-sees-revenue-profits-4q…
Netflix ouch after market - loses 800,000 subscribers.
http://money.cnn.com/2011/10/24/technology/netflix_earnings/index.htm?source=yahoo_quote
Stock down 20% after market close. (edited: now 27%!)
Reply to @ET91: Well - and I think this is probably the last I'll say about Fairholme because even I think I'm going over the same ground.
1. I hope Fairholme does well/turns around for the people who own it.
2. I think Berkowitz is an excellent …
The whole thing continually reminds me of Cramer's discussion of the run on his hedge fund in "Confessions of a Street Addict". His fund started tanking and his wife told him to prepare for a run on the fund. He laughed it off, thinking that he'd ma…
Reply to @Maurice: ?
Seemed like a reasonable idea at the time to include the disclaimer, as I'm invested in Einhorn, albeit in the roundabout manner of GLRE.
Reply to @Kenster1_GlobalValue: lol.
If Fernandez left to be a manager of Goodhaven, that would truly top it all off.
I think it's extremely surprising that not only did his long-time co-manager leave, but the guy's his neighbor and married to hi…
